Gas-compressing pump for ice-machines



(No Model.)

T. L. RANKIN.

GAS GOMPRESSING PUMP FOR 10E MACHINES. I No. 361,596. Patented Apr. 19,188 7 JV' .Z'iwl. Rankin,

.Httorney Mrs STATES iAraNr Erica.

THOMAS L. RANKIN, OF QUENEMO, KANSAS.

GAS-COMPRE SSING PUMP FOR ICE-MACHINES.

YSPBCIFICATION forming part. of Letters Patent NO. 361,596, dated April19, 18217. Application filed January 525, 1887. Serial No. 225,446. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ ZUhOTTb it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS L. RANKIN, of Quenemo, in the county ofOsageand State of Kansas, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in GasGompressing Pumps for Ice-Machines; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, which form part of thisspecification, in which Figure 1 represents a view showing partly a sideelevation and partly a vertical section of myimproved pump. Fig. 2representsahorizontal sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 represents atransverse section taken at one end of the pump, showing two of thevalve-chambers thereof.

This invention relates to certain improvements in horizontal pumps forice-machines, being particularly designed for pumping the gaseousammonia from the cooler and compressing the same into the condenser, orfor pumping the aqua-ammonia in absorption machines.

In pumps of this class as heretofore constructed great difficulty hasbeen experienced in properly lubricating the piston and in preventingthe oil from being forced into the circuit, where it is impossible totrap and remove it, so that it often accumulates to such an extent as toclog the pipes and interfere with the operation of the machine.Moreover, in the case of the vertical pumps heretofore gener allyemployed for compressing gases, difficulty has been found in locatingthem in many instances, on account of their height rendering themimpracticable for many purposes-such as for use upon shipboard,refrigerating-cars, and in other places where rooms or chambers have lowceilings.

It is the object of my invention to obviate these objections and providea horizontal pump that will at all times be thoroughlylubricated, thatwill not leak or force the oil into the circuit, and that will becompact and capable of being erected in the least possible verticalspace, and can be operated with little attention, as the lubrication isautomatic and permanent.

The above-mentioned objects I attain by the ,The ends of the piston aremeans illustrated in the accompanying drawlugs.

The letter A indicates the cylinder of the pump, which is mountedhorizontally upon the vertical supports B. Midway between the ends thecylinder is enlarged, as indicated by the letter O, for the purposehereinafter explained. This enlarged portion is open at the top and isflanged at its edges, and to said edges is bolted the flanged edge D ofa stand-pipe, 1*, which is securely closed at the top in any convenientmanner.

The letter G indicates the piston, which is cylindrical and hollowthroughout its entire length, and turned so as to closely fit thechambers H at each end of the pump-cylinder. closed by the plates I, andare provided with the ordinary packingrings, K, which work in thechambers above mentioned. The piston has an upward opening, L, midwaybetween its ends, for the purpose hereinafter explained.

The valve-chests M are located at each end of the cylinder, being boltedthereon. Each valve-chest is divided into two compartments by means of apartition, N, one compartment communicating by means of a pipe, 0, withthe stand-pipe, and the other by means of a pipe, P, with the condenserof the machine. These chambers are subdivided, and are provided withopenings into the cylinder and with valve-seats R S, havingpuppet-valves held normally to their seats by means of springs, thevalves being arranged relatively to the seats in such manner that thevalve B, when away from its seat, will open the inductionport of thecylinder, while the valve S, when away from its seat, will open theeductionport, and vice versa, in the manner familiar to skilledmechanics. To the piston at each side are secured extensions T, fromwhich extend the piston-rods U, through the ordinary packing-boxes, V,to any suitable motor.

The letter WV indicates a pipe which leads from the expansion-chamber oftheice-machine through a stuffing-box at top of the standpipe, downthrough the same, and into the hollow piston through the openingtherein, before mentioned. The lower end of the pipe W is branched, asindicated by the letter X, the branch extending longitudinally towardeach end of the piston. The said pipe \V is provided with a check-valve,Y, to prevent any possible back-pressure and injury that might resulttherefrom.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The central portion of thepump-cylinder and lower part of the stand-pipe are filled with oil,

which also fills the hollow piston, but does not enter thepump-cylinders ahead of the piston on account of the packing thereon. Asthe piston is reciprocated it draws in the gas alternately at each end,as will be readily understood, and forces it out alternately at each endat'the same time to the condenser, the exofthe oil findingits wayintothe circuit, except by -baok-pressure, incident to impaired machinery,and this is effectually guarded against by the check-valve in pipe W.

Any leakage of oil is provided against, as it will be seen that thepiston-rods are packed against the back-pressure in the cylinder thatis, on the exhaust side of the pistonand" therefore pressure outward isbrought upon the oil to force it out.

By making the piston hollow and carrying the gaseous vapor from thecooler or expanding-chamber directly to the ends of the same, it iscooled, and the heating effect, due to the powerful compression of thegas, is counteracted, more effective work securedpand the durability ofthe pump materially enhanced.

By slightly changing the valves, leaving oif the standpipe, and closingthe top of the part" 0, my improved pump may be employed as anaqua-ammonia pump for absorption-nnachines. In this case, however, thesmall pipe is carried back from the central chamber of the pump to thesuction, in order to relieve the pressure in case any liquid should passthe rings and get ahead of the piston in the end chambers of thecylinders, thus preventing any high pressure upon the stuffing-boxes.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination, withahorizontal pumpeylinder having a hollow piston and an oil-receptacle,of the stand-pipe, the pipe leading from the expanding-chamber of anice-machine through said stand-pipe and into the hollow piston, thevalve-chests provided with induction and eduction chambers and valves,and connected with the stand-pipe and condenser by means of suitablepipes, the whole being arranged to operate substantially in the mannerand for the purposes-specified.

2. The combination, with the cylinder having a central enlargementforming an oil-chamber, working in said chamber, and the piston-rods U,connected to said extensions and working through packingboxes in one endofsaid chamber, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the hollow piston, of the branch pipe withinit, connected to a pipe extending from the cooling or condensing chamberof the ice-machine, whereby the piston and parts will be kept cool andthe heating effects of the compression counteracted, substantially asspecified.

In testimony that Ielaim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature inpresence of two witnesses. 1

THOMAS L. RANKIN.

Witnesses:

T. H. ALEXANDER, ROBERT E. Mourns.

of the hollow piston having extensions T,

